Abiding with Jesus – Hope in God

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Two years ago exactly, I was homeless, jobless, my husband had just left me and my best friend had just died from brain cancer. I was at the lowest point in my life, and yet every morning I still awoke to the hope that the Lord had instilled in me with his promises.

Being hopeful doesn’t mean that we know what tomorrow brings, it means that we know the Lord has already been there making a way for us to join Him.

I can’t say that the journey from two years ago until now has been easy because it hasn’t. It’s been filled with tears, tragedy, and difficulties; but it has also been filled with joy, laughter, family, adventure and so much more.

So every day, no matter what it brings, we have to remember to be filled in the hope of the Lord.

“Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry.” -Psalm 146:5-7

So what can we do to be filled with the hope of God?

1 | Live in the hope of being with God forever

When this world fell to sin, God had a plan for us to spend eternity with Him. So, no matter what happens in this world, we have a guarantee that we will spend eternity with Him in heaven. No matter what.

As Jesus said to the criminal who hung beside him, (who was worthy of punishment):

“And He said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” -Luke 23:43

While Jesus was talking to the sinner on the cross, His message resonates for all of us. Fear not, for you will be with Me.

So how can you apply that to your life? This is a simple application and one of the most difficult ones as well. While it’s easy to say, the practice of it is one of the hardest things you will ever do.

The best way to live in the hope of eternity with God is to remind yourself every day. Whether it is a good day or the worst day of your life, God has not left you. No matter if it’s your first day on earth or your last, God is with you.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.” -Titus 2:11-14

2 | Remember our inheritance

When God planned the beginning of the universe, He saw all, He knew all. He even knew you, your life and what He would do for you. God’s inheritance is given to all of His children. Even when we have sinned horrendously, God’s promises are still here for us because of Jesus’ sacrifice.

We see in Ephesians 1 what God has blessed us with. Ephesians 1:11-14 details what God has planned for you:

“In Him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of His will, so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to His glory. In Him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.” -Ephesians 1:11-14

So when you look at your possessions on this earth or wonder why someone has more than you, remember this: they may have shiny cars and all the new gadgets, but what they may be missing is the biggest blessing of all which is the acceptance of Christ in their life.

In this life, as followers of Christ we know we will suffer, that is without a doubt. But knowing that the next life brings endless reward for us, not based on what we have done, but what Jesus has done for us.

3 | Wait for the return of Christ

In 2 Peter, he tells us to remain hopeful, because “the Lord does not delay His promise,” (2 Peter 3:9a). In 2 Peter 3:8-13 Peter tells us why we need to wait for the Lord, and tells us how we should act before the coming, and what to expect when the Lord does come down from Heaven.

“Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.

Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” – 2 Peter 3:8-13

So, every day, when you’re choosing what to watch on Netflix or getting the kids off to school keep your heart pointed to God. No matter what you’re doing be sure to conduct yourself in a manner that would honor God as you wait for Him.

Dear sisters in Christ, I hope this post has helped you find your hope in God. I know how hopeless somedays can be. Hope in the Lord, dear sisters, He will never fail you.

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If you’re looking for more resources to help you find your hope in Jesus, please check out my personal favorites below.